Inter Milan up to fourth in Serie A with home win over Sampdoria

Danilo D'Ambrosio celebrates after scoring the opener for Inter in a 3-1 win vs. Sampdoria.

Mauro Icardi scored against his former club as Inter Milan moved up to fourth in Serie A with a 3-1 victory over Sampdoria at the San Siro.

Defenders Danilo D'Ambrosio and Miranda put the hosts 2-0 up either side of the break before former Blucerchiati forward Icardi got his goal.

Sampdoria had the better of the opening exchanges with Fabio Quagliarella, who grabbed a consolation in added time for the visitors, missing a couple of opportunities but Inter took the lead midway through the first half.

Jeison Murillo got his head to a Marcelo Brozovic corner from the right and D'Ambrosio ghosted in at the back post to slot home his first goal since October 2014.

Undeterred, Sampdoria threatened to equalise a minute later but Matias Silvestre's shot was blocked after some jittery Inter defending.

The visitors continued to probe for an equaliser but Joaquin Correa and Andrea Ranocchia, on loan from Inter, saw chances go to waste at the end of the first half.

The Blucerchiati started the second half like they did the first and came agonisingly close to levelling the score on 51 minutes.

Fernando's free-kick was flicked on by Dodo but neither Silvestre or Ranocchia could add the finishing touch at the back post and the ball whistled past the upright.

They were eventually made to pay for their lack of a killer touch when Miranda claimed his first goal for Inter on 57 minutes.

Felipe Melo rose highest to meet a left-wing delivery and the defender was on hand to nod home from close range.

Icardi added a third 17 minutes from time with a cool left-footed finish before Quagliarella scored his sixth goal of the season in the closing stages.